1. Eligibility – Pianists, vocalists, or other instrumentalists. There will be two (2) divisions:
Senior division: age 14-22 as of the date of the competition
Junior division: up to age 13 as of the date of the competition
Additionally, applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
• A permanent resident of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, or White County.
• A student of a music teacher from an eligible county.
• A previous winner of the Keller Competition may not compete in the year immediately following their win, regardless of instrument.
2. Application Procedures: Online applications must be submitted by 11:59pm by Friday, January 30, 2026. Application will be considered complete upon receipt of the $25 entry fee (payable online at lafayettesymphony.org/keller) Entry fee will also be accepted by check to Lafayette Symphony, PO Box 52, Lafayette, IN 47902. Qualified applicants will be contacted with further audition information.
3. Audition Procedures:
• Auditions will be held on April 11, 2026 at a location in or near downtown Lafayette
• A contestant should select a solo from the Keller Competition Repertoire List, available at lafayettesymphony.org/scholarships. The list is updated ANNUALLY so please make sure your piece is eligible. Requests for exceptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the LSO prior to the submission of your application.
• The time limit for each audition is 12 minutes.
• Music for both the audition and concert must be performed from memory. Vocalists competing should present contrasting arias.
• A contestant must provide four copies of music with numbered measures and cuts marked, to the judges at the audition.
• Contestants are required to perform with their own piano accompanist.
• The decision of the judges at the audition is final.
4. Awardment Protocol:
• The Senior Division winner may be awarded the opportunity to perform with the LSO as featured soloist in the subsequent season. The LSO reserves the right to alter your performance work as needed.
• The Junior Division winner is awarded a 30 minute LSO sponsored recital before an LSO Mainstage concert.
Each winner must provide to the LSO office no later than September 15, 2026: a 200-word or less bio, a digital recording of the selection, a media release form, and a recent headshot/professional photo.
• Each winner will receive an agreement to sign.
• The Senior Division winner will receive a $500 scholarship. The Junior Division winner will receive a $250 scholarship.
• Winners must be available to attend (dates & times subject to change):
• Concerto Rehearsal with Artistic Director – Prior to orchestra rehearsals.
• Rehearsal & Concert Cycles: Apr/May 2027. The concert will be on a Saturday at 7:30pm (exact date TBD), with rehearsals at 7:30pm the preceding Wed-Fri. Exact rehearsal schedule will be determined by the Artistic Director and communicated by June 30, 2026.
• Winners are expected to participate in pre-concert publicity.
• Winning pianists may contact the LSO Operations Manager (taylor@lafayettesymphony.org) to schedule up to 2 rehearsals on the concert piano during the week of the concert.
• Videotaping of the concert will be allowed only from the back row of the main floor or the balcony and must be approved by the Operations Manager in advance. No flash photography.